Index function with % and single quote

[kalbo]

Hi, Im trying to use index function to search for the following string:

%put('ERROR

However I  think the % with single quote (enslosed by double quote marks" is causing errors. Is there a way to search for the string without errors?

This is how I used the index function:

index(intext, "%put('ERROR")=0

[FreelanceReinh · Accepted solution]

Hi @kalbo,

Use the %NRSTR function to mask the %put keyword and place percent signs before the unmatched parenthesis and quotation mark as described in the documentation.

Example:

data _null_;
input intext $30.;
p=index(intext, "%nrstr(%put%(%'ERROR)");
put p=;
cards;
TEST%put('ERRORmore_text
;

EDIT: Alternatively, you can limit the %NRSTR function to the %put keyword and omit the additional percent signs:

p=index(intext, "%nrstr(%put)('ERROR");

[PaigeMiller]

data a;
string_to_find='%put('||"'ERROR";
intext='%put('||"'ERROR";
if index(intext, string_to_find)=0 then put 'ABC';
else put 'XYZ';
run;

[yabwon]

Mask single quotes:

index(intext, '%put(''ERROR')

by doubling it inside single quotes. 

Bart